Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Denver Public Schools

13 years of reform

Colorado
April 13, 2018

Bennet and Boasberg: Denver schools needed big changes, and the work isn’t nearly done

The two men responsible for guiding Denver schools through dramatic changes over the last 13 years shared the same stage Friday and said their decisions…

Why Wilson

Colorado
April 13, 2018

Boasberg explains his decision to bring back Antwan Wilson: ‘He has so much to contribute’

Denver Public Schools contacted Wilson to gauge his interest in working as a consultant on CareerConnect, a career and technical education program.

unexpected return

Colorado
April 12, 2018

Forced out as D.C. chancellor, Antwan Wilson is back working in the Denver school district as a consultant

Denver Public Schools has brought back the former school leader as a part-time consultant to help build a strategic plan for a career and technical education program.

Movers and shakers

Colorado
April 11, 2018

Denver superintendent honored for serving Hispanic students

His nomination notes that graduation rates for Hispanic students increased from 30 percent in 2007 to 64 percent in 2017.

Nation's Report Card

Colorado
April 10, 2018

Large achievement gaps in Denver highlighted by new national test data

This is the first year Denver’s scores have been broken out on the tests known as "the nation's report card."

reversing course

Colorado
April 4, 2018

Denver has welcomed school autonomy, but some teachers are now saying no thanks

The votes against more autonomy come at a time when the Denver teachers union is gaining political power.

Data dive

Colorado
April 3, 2018

7 things to know about how Colorado schools punish their youngest students

As educators debate harsh school discipline nationwide, here's a look at which Colorado districts are suspending young children at the highest rates.

Priorities and pushback

Colorado
April 2, 2018

A heated debate over the desire for a traditional high school in far northeast Denver boils over

“Everything we do is threatened by the idea of opening a new high school in the far northeast."

Free Ride

Colorado
March 28, 2018

Colorado lawmakers see a budget threat in the promise of early colleges

State budget analysts have raised a warning flag about the cost of programs that provide free college classes if they continue to expand.

reorganization

Colorado
March 20, 2018

Denver parents worry budget changes will hurt students with special needs, despite district assurances

“The improvements that they’re proposing to make, they’re all great. But don’t do it on the backs of kids with special needs.”

biding time

Colorado
March 15, 2018

Strike vote by Denver teachers no longer imminent due to contract extension

District officials agreed to the union’s request to extend the current agreement until January 2019.

On the brink

Colorado
March 14, 2018

Denver teachers union leaders vote to call for a strike vote if pay negotiations fail

“Teachers don’t think the district is taking them seriously."

Repairing harm

Colorado
March 13, 2018

Inside one of three Denver schools serving as a national model for how to do discipline differently

Restorative justice is an approach to school discipline that focuses on repairing harm rather than doling out punishment.

final ruling

Colorado
Updated March 12, 2018

Colorado’s high court: There’s no such thing as teacher tenure

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled against Denver teachers in a dispute over the district putting them on unpaid leave.

Movers and shakers

Colorado
March 8, 2018

Former Colorado speaker Terrance Carroll to work for Denver Public Schools

Carroll will start on April 2 as the district’s chief legal and external affairs officer, a new position.

How I Lead

Colorado
March 7, 2018

A scooter, a reflection journal, and no surprises: One Denver principal’s approach to leadership

A Denver principal talks about his "no-surprises" approach to staff feedback and why his school emphasizes restorative justice practices.

Big Shoes

Colorado
March 5, 2018

Interim Manual High principal named as district begins search for permanent leader

School board member Jennifer Bacon called for “a true study” of what led to the previous principal's departure.

‘Why I Left’

Colorado
March 3, 2018

Former Manual principal resigned after learning of hostile work environment allegation

“The job of a principal in our current climate is not for the faint of heart."

Shake up

Colorado
March 2, 2018

Manual High principal resigns along with chair of booster group

The resignation of Nickolas Dawkins took many community members by surprise. He had said his vision was to "change the narrative" of the storied but struggling school.

intent to apply

Colorado
February 28, 2018

These new schools want to open in Denver

Denver's annual "Call for New Quality Schools" did not include any specific requests this year.

‘Learn together’

Colorado
February 27, 2018

Denver should seize on this moment to better integrate schools, report says

The report from A Plus Colorado offers several recommendations for how to do that.

ommmm

Colorado
February 26, 2018

Why this Denver elementary school has replaced detention with yoga

“I want to create a space where they can embody all these beautiful things of life."

Speaking Out

Colorado
February 23, 2018

Students at Denver’s George Washington High say their voices were unheard in principal selection

“Why should we even try to talk to the district if they’re not going to listen to what we’re going to say?”

More autonomy

Colorado
February 20, 2018

These Denver schools want to join the district’s ‘innovation zone’ or form new zones

Innovation zones are often described as a “third way” to govern public schools.

measuring up

Colorado
February 16, 2018

After criticism, Denver will change the way it rates elementary schools

The changes will lessen the impact of early literacy test scores on a school’s overall rating.

in support

Colorado
February 15, 2018

Denver school board pledges to ‘stand shoulder-to-shoulder’ with undocumented immigrants

The Denver school board took a stand Thursday in support of young undocumented immigrants, urging Congress to save the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program…

earning credit

Colorado
February 8, 2018

Report: Districts can do more to give black and Hispanic students access to college courses

The group's recommendations and a bill lawmakers are considering both seek to increase awareness of concurrent enrollment courses for high school students.

integration conversation

Colorado
February 6, 2018

More Denver schools to give preference to students from low-income families

The pilot program is an effort to better integrate the city’s schools at a time when gentrification is deepening economic divides.

a 'third way'

Colorado
February 5, 2018

Denver wants to expand its ‘innovation zone’ even as big money questions remain

Two years after the zone was created, its leaders are asking for even more financial freedom.

Beep Beep

Colorado
February 2, 2018

Five ideas to help Denver students get to the schools they choose

With school choice underway in Denver, here's how a persistent local critic would improve what he calls the district's “antiquated transportation policies.”

Gifted gap

Colorado
February 1, 2018

Disparities persist even though most high-poverty schools in Colorado have gifted programs

Black and Hispanic students in Colorado are placed in gifted and talented programs at a lower rate than their peers — a longstanding problem nationwide.

pick a school

Colorado
January 31, 2018

Denver’s school choice process starts Feb. 1. Here’s what’s different this year.

One big change: It's all online this year.

How I Help

Colorado
January 31, 2018

She’s not a therapist. This middle school counselor helps prepare students for college and careers.

In our new “How I Help” series, we feature school counselors, social workers and psychologists across Colorado who have been recognized for their work. It…

drawing lines

Colorado
January 26, 2018

Pushback on charter school contracts shows new divide on Denver school board

“I’ve heard loudly and strongly from my constituents and many people in the community that they don’t want new charter schools in their communities."

declining enrollment

Colorado
January 25, 2018

Tight-knit and tightly budgeted: Inside one of Denver’s smallest schools

This year, Denver Public Schools spent $2.1 million to shore up the budgets of small schools. And it could soon find itself having to pay even more.

Cost of living

Colorado
January 24, 2018

Denver scraps an idea to convert an old elementary school into teacher housing

So for now, Rosedale will remain empty.

integration conversation

Colorado
January 24, 2018

Denver wants more affluent schools to prioritize enrolling poor students

Thus far, the results of a pilot program have been mixed.

Charter growth

Colorado
January 22, 2018

As low-income families exit Denver, charter network KIPP is looking to follow

KIPP Colorado will have a new strategic plan this summer which will lay out how, and where, they might expand soon.

Empty call

Colorado
January 18, 2018

Lack of requests for new schools hinders Denver charter network expansion plans

Some charter leaders said they're thinking about expanding beyond Denver, if they haven't already.

high school

Colorado
January 18, 2018

Denver students taking longer to graduate, even as other districts report improvements

The Aurora and Westminster school districts are among those that posted some gains, while Denver Public Schools saw a decrease in the on-time graduation rate.

How I Teach

Colorado
January 17, 2018

From bikes to blue hair: how one Denver kindergarten teacher shares his passion with students

A Denver kindergarten teacher, originally from Venezuela, talks about the teachers who inspired him, why he uses secret codes, and how he gets to know students.

money matters

Colorado
January 12, 2018

More money for poor students and cuts to central office: A first look at the Denver school district’s budget plan

Most of the staff reductions would occur in the centrally funded special education department.

First Person

Colorado
January 9, 2018

I’ve spent years fighting for buses for at-risk high schoolers in Denver. Here’s what’s at stake

The school does a lot for its students, but it doesn’t do buses. And I worry that the lack of access to transportation is putting more students in a precarious position.

hashtag lunch

Colorado
January 8, 2018

What’s in a school lunch? A Denver district wants parents to see for themselves

The Buzzfeed-y video, which has its own hashtag, #DPSDelicious, was posted on Denver Public Schools’ Facebook page Monday.

changing city

Colorado
January 5, 2018

‘It is kind of crushing:’ Southwest Denver projected to lose nearly 2,000 students

Such dramatic decreases can have grave effects on schools.

Empty call

Colorado
January 2, 2018

Decreasing enrollment growth and increasing test scores in Denver add up to no specific requests for new schools

The district will still accept new school applications, which are due April 2.

in response

Colorado
December 22, 2017

Concerns about reading scores and school ratings prompt Denver district to send letters to families

Early elementary school students in Denver will get individual reading progress reports.

year in review

Colorado
December 22, 2017

State leaders took a hard look at the teacher shortage in 2017

The problem of teacher shortages has plagued some Colorado school districts for years, but it reached a tipping point of sorts in 2017.

big boundaries

Colorado
December 22, 2017

Three new elementary enrollment zones coming next year to northeast Denver

The new elementary zones include a mix of district-run schools and charter schools.

space use

Colorado
December 21, 2017

Denver Language School placed in former Gilpin Montessori building

Next school year, the school’s fourth through eighth graders will be housed at Gilpin.
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